James Anderson poised for England Twenty20 return v South Africa

James Anderson is ready to make his return to Twenty20 cricket after being recalled to the England squad as cover for Steve Finn following an absence of three years.

James Anderson has not played international Twenty20 cricket in nearly three years (Picture: AP)

The 30-year-old bowler has not played 20-over cricket for England since his appearance against South Africa at Centurion in November 2009 and he is not part of the England squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this month.

But with paceman Steve Finn struggling with a stiff back, Anderson has been drafted back into the side.

The Lancastrian has taken just 18 international T20 wickets in 19 innings, while with the bat he has been involved just four times, scoring only one run.

Finn, meanwhile, did not feature in yesterday’s one-day international against the Proteas due to his back problem.

England’s 20-over series against South Africa begins on Saturday at Chester-le-Street and there are also fixtures next Monday and Wednesday at Old Trafford and Edgbaston respectively.